Britain is buzzing with hawk moths

Hummingbird hawk-moths are having their best summer ever, with record sightings in gardens across Britain.

Numbers of the distinctive dayflying moths in the Garden Birdwatch survey of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) are at the highest ever seen at this stage in the season.

Seen in 2.3 per cent of gardens in June compared with an average of 0.5 per cent, thousands of people have reported the moths, particularly in the south and east of England.

Hummingbird hawk-moths migrate to the UK from southern Europe and North Africa and are mainly recorded in gardens between June and September, where they are found hovering over flowering plants such as red valerian, buddleia, and viper’sbugloss to feed on nectar. Higher than average June temperatures are most likely the cause of the increased numbers.

Samantha Herbert